Tues [December] 30 [1862]

Visited Hos -- buried four men this morng at one
time. McMullen, Snyder -- Hildreth & Morris. Called on
Gen. Sumner. sitting in arm chair with dress g [dressing gown]
Smoking a pipe -- Sd. "No ans. yet -- & as we were under
orders to move at moments notice day or night
he would recommend me to give up attempt.
Very busy writing letters for friends of soldiers &c.
Rain this P.M. good bathe & change -- Got flour,
Found good deal seriousness & desire after religious
life -- No orders yet -- Tis sd. 600 prisoners passed by
today taken by Sigel, doubtful --

Private William McMullen of Co. B
Corporal David Hildreth of Co. I
Private Jesse B. Morris of Co. K
Four different privates named Snyder: Henry, James, John, & William.

Mon [December] 29 [1862]

Lovely day, three of our men died since 11 last night,
Called on Gen. Sumner about flag truce to get [Sgt. Edward] Townsends body --
very affable -- soldierly man -- Knew & remembered my bro. William.
Sent about sick to Gen.' hospitals -- wrote several letters to friends of
sick & dead &c. Like a day in Sept -- but quite cool at night
letter fr. Mr H -- Called again -- He sd. "no ans. yet- There flags
of truce embarrass me. I want to open my guns this
moment on there ^'a' rifle pit -- they are digging, but
can do nothing" -- Attended battalion drill.
Called again on Gen S. no ans. yet. "Probably Comandg. officer
is ten miles in the interior". We Sent to Aquia Creek for
Coffins -- Came tonight. No mail -- today, found some
Seriousness in hospital --
Capt. [Philetus] Stevens is rehearsing his exploits in Marine Corps
& under Col (now) Genl. Sumner
Busy with letters to friends of dead. 9 oclk P.M.
just recd. orders for Sixty rounds & 5 days rations & be
ready to march at revielle -- Whither? Lord
direct! I have ordered the graves dug tonight for the
three men to be buried early in morg --

Sun [December] 28 [1862]

Lovely day, held Sbat services in hosps. & buried poor
Post in morng. A large voluntary regt Service in P.M. -- preached
on Let me die death of right, &c. Good prayer meetg. in Mess tent
in eveg --- Baloon look bright & clear in blue sky.

[Saturday] Dec 27 [1862]

Mild -- We lost poor Post today Typhoid fever -- talked &
prayed in hosps -- wrote letters about sick dead &c. Corrected list
of casualties & sent to guardian -- One of my letters abt. killed appeared
in is. of 23d --

Six men with surname Post in the 25th New Jersey.

[Friday] Dec 26 [1862]

cloudy - & wind -- Pres. thanks Army of Potomac.
makg. arrangements to cross under flag of truce for Townsends
and Moseleys bodies -- In hospitals -- writing letters to dead, missg.
&c Soldiers friends -- Paterson Paper finds fault with Col. & me
for not writing details &c -- Col. sent full list aabt. week
ago --

Dec. 25. Thurs. [1862]

Thurs. Wrote letter. Visited hospt. Celebrated Xmas with
roast beef and are dried apple pie-- Q.M. & Capt Spear are
getting up a dance in front of our mess tent for the men.
It don't seem to take much. Rode out to find 2d. N.J.V.
Not successful. Visitd. hos -- wounded are nearly
all removed to Washington &c. found four dying men
one a Cath. wished me to pray for him, two were Christians
one very bright & happy -- talked & prayed with all.
A mild day. 'Tis sd. we are to return to Washington.

Captain Edward Spear of Co. K, 25th New Jersey and Quartermaster John S. Muschamp

[Wednesday] Dec. 24 [1862]

Chilly -- took good bath & clean clothes -- expounded
SS[scriptures?] talked & prayed in hospitals. Regt came in from
picket -- wrote letters -- Col. Stevens 13 N H & Col Mindell
called. five of our officers have resigned -- ill health
&c. accepted. No. has washed my change of clothes as
usual. looks like storm. rumors of Cabinet & Army
Commander changes. Herald of yesterday says all
as before. Burnside takes whole responsibility:
Rebel acs Say it is greatest battle on the
Continent -- Boys say, Rebel order for "Undouble
files -- double quick March!" is -- "From four ranks to
to ranks -- right Smart -- git?"

Colonel Aaron F. Stevens